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Manchester United Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar Believes It's Time For Club's Next Generation To Deliver This Season
Dutchman feels youngsters must take pressure off seasoned campaigners.
Aug 15, 2010 3:20:00 AM
By Sumeet Paul
Manchester United 'keeper Edwin van der Sar, the oldest player currently playing in the Premier League, has admitted that the club can no longer rely on the veterans to win a record 19th League title this season.
Van der Sar, who turns 40 in October, has issued a rallying call for the youngsters at Old Trafford to take the pressure off the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and himself ahead of their Premier League opening clash against Newcastle United tomorrow night.
The Dutchman told CNN: "You can't keep relying on the likes of myself, Scholes, Giggs and Neville.
"You have to bring through young players, and some of those are going to get the opportunity to work this season. We will play about 65-70 games.
"It's hard for the older boys to play twice a week, so it's important for everyone in the squad to play their part."
Sir Alex Ferguson has made a point of recruiting young talents this summer, evidenced by the arrivals of highly-rated Javier Hernandez, 22, Chris Smalling and Bebe, both 20.
They join a whole host of youngsters currently at Old Trafford including the likes of Rafael, Fabio, Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and Federico Macheda who will all be fighting for first-team places alongside the influential pairing of Nani and Wayne Rooney who are both in their early 20s.
The Dutchman believes the most important facet that these youngsters will need to gain is the ability to bounce back from disappointment and have the hunger and desire to win trophies.
He added: "Last season should motivate us. Personally, I don't think about the things I have won but the things I have lost. I don't think about the 2008 Champions League final which we won, I remember Rome in 2009 which we lost.
"That's why we try to win things, to win trophies back. It is the same with the Premier League this season. I have won things in my career and people ask why that's not enough. But there can always be more."
Despite critics claiming that United lack the squad to win the Premier League this year and move ahead of rivals Liverpool with a record 19th top-flight title, fellow veteran Ryan Giggs is confident his side can overcome the latest challenges to what he sees as their throne.
Giggs told The Sunday Mail: "I think it's a good balance of experienced players and young players coming through. I think the money spent here on players is always looked at in terms of three or four steps into the future.
"There have always been challenges for United. When I first got into the team, Blackburn had a lot of money and we overcame that.
"Chelsea was similar; they won two Leagues, but we won three when they were spending a lot of money.
"Now City have got a lot of money, but it all depends if their team gels. They've got good players but I still think we've got better players, and I think we're a better team than all the others in the Premier League."
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Van der Sar, who turns 40 in October, has issued a rallying call for the youngsters at Old Trafford to take the pressure off the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and himself ahead of their Premier League opening clash against Newcastle United tomorrow night.
The Dutchman told CNN: "You can't keep relying on the likes of myself, Scholes, Giggs and Neville.
"You have to bring through young players, and some of those are going to get the opportunity to work this season. We will play about 65-70 games.
"It's hard for the older boys to play twice a week, so it's important for everyone in the squad to play their part."
Sir Alex Ferguson has made a point of recruiting young talents this summer, evidenced by the arrivals of highly-rated Javier Hernandez, 22, Chris Smalling and Bebe, both 20.
They join a whole host of youngsters currently at Old Trafford including the likes of Rafael, Fabio, Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and Federico Macheda who will all be fighting for first-team places alongside the influential pairing of Nani and Wayne Rooney who are both in their early 20s.
The Dutchman believes the most important facet that these youngsters will need to gain is the ability to bounce back from disappointment and have the hunger and desire to win trophies.
He added: "Last season should motivate us. Personally, I don't think about the things I have won but the things I have lost. I don't think about the 2008 Champions League final which we won, I remember Rome in 2009 which we lost.
"That's why we try to win things, to win trophies back. It is the same with the Premier League this season. I have won things in my career and people ask why that's not enough. But there can always be more."
Despite critics claiming that United lack the squad to win the Premier League this year and move ahead of rivals Liverpool with a record 19th top-flight title, fellow veteran Ryan Giggs is confident his side can overcome the latest challenges to what he sees as their throne.
Giggs told The Sunday Mail: "I think it's a good balance of experienced players and young players coming through. I think the money spent here on players is always looked at in terms of three or four steps into the future.
"There have always been challenges for United. When I first got into the team, Blackburn had a lot of money and we overcame that.
"Chelsea was similar; they won two Leagues, but we won three when they were spending a lot of money.
"Now City have got a lot of money, but it all depends if their team gels. They've got good players but I still think we've got better players, and I think we're a better team than all the others in the Premier League."
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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